Hold-down valve



Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOLD-DOWN VALVE V Sebastian L. Calvert, Bristow, Okla. Application May 10, 1938, Serial No. 207,104

, 13 Claims. (01.103-181) This invention relates to improvements in anchoring means, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a hold-down valvefor rigidly anchoring a fluid pump or the'like in the tubing of a well hole.

I-Ieretofore, in the pumping of oil or water wells, a rod or insert pump has been anchored in the well tubing by a bifurcated hold-down secured to the lower end of the pump, and adapted to cooperate with a seating shoe or nipple secured to the lower end of the Well tubing. In many instances, a cup or packing ring hold-down is used in lieu of the bifurcated or mechanical holddown, the cup hold-down being similarly se-- cured to the lower end of the pump and providedwith packing rings for frictionally engaging the inner periphery of a seating nipple or shoe to firmly hold the pump in position. Experience has taught that sand or other sediment present in the fluid being pumped, will be deposited around the seats of either the mechanical or cup hold-down causing a frictional engagement or binding that prevents the unseating or release of the hold downs necessary in removing the pump. It often occurs that the pump must be removed from the well hole for various reasons, such as repairs and the like, and in removing the pump, the sucker rods are reciprocated with a straight pull to unseat the hold-down, so that the sucker rods can pull the pump and holddown out of the well hole. A straight pull of the sucker rods will not overcome the detrimental binding or frictional engagement of the cup or mechanical hold-downs, especially where sand has deposited around their seats. In such instances, in order to free the hold-down and release the pump, a stripping operation is necessary. Such procedure'necessitates the pulling of all the sucker rods and well tubing, simultaneously in sections, since the hold-down valve in such frictional engagement effects a positive connection between the sucker rods, the pump, and tubing at the bottom of the well. This operation involves considerable loss of time and expense, plus the risk attached thereto.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide means for anchoring pumps in the tubing of a well, which can be readily re- 5 leased from the tubing, whereby removal of the pump is facilitated. 7

And still another object of this invention is to provide hold-down means for holding oil well pumps in the tubing of an oil well, which can be readily released from the tubing to facilitate removal of the pump,,whereby the necessity of a stripping operation is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an anchoring means for use in the tubing of a well, which is so constructed that upon undue frictional binding, it can be unseated in stages to facilitate release thereof.

And still another important object is to provide a hold-down means for holding a fluid pump in the tubing of an oil well of such construction to be unseated in stages to allow for bleeding of the fluid in the tubing whereby any detrimental damage to the hold-down means by the fluid pressure is prevented.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an anchoring means for oil well insert pumps and the like, which is simple in operation, durable, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of my new invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form of my new invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my invention showing one stage of the ,unseating operation.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the top nut for the hold-down valve.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of one outer cylinder member.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the lower outer cylinder member.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of one of the seating rings.

Fig. 6 is an elevational View of one of the spacing rings.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged broken sectional elevational View taken on lines 7-? of Fig. l and showing the hold-down valve in seated position.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view showing the valve in position in the well hole or tubing.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to Figs. 1, '7 and 8, the hold-down or anchoring valve A, comprises an inner mandrel or tubular member2, an outer cylinder assembly 4, an upper nut 6, and a lower nut 8. The inner mandrel 2 is provided with threads I0 and I2 at the upper and lower ends for threadedly receiving the nuts 6 and 8, respectively. The upper portion l4 (Fig. 7) of cylinder 2' is of a larger outside diameter than the lower portion 16.. The outer sleeve or cylinder assembly 4 (Fig. 7) preferably consists of an upper sleeve I8 having a reduced outside diameter, forming an undercut shoulder 20. The lower portion of thesleeve is provided with outer threads 22 for threadedly receiving the inner threads 24 provided in the bore 28 of a lower sleeve 28.

It will be understood that the inside diameter of the upper sleeve 18 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the larger portion M of the cylinder 2, to allow for free movement between the cylinders 2 and i8. The lower portion of the sleeve 28 has a reduced diameter to form an integral skirt 38 of slightly less inside diameter than the outer diameter of the portion M of cylinder 2, yet slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower portion I8. In order to facilitate the sliding of the outer cylinder assembly 4 on to the cylinder portion l4, the sleeve 30 is provided with longitudinal bifurcations or slots 32, Fig. 1, as will hereinafter be set forth. In complete'assembly, the outer cylinder assembly 4 is provided with a plurality of seating rings. or cups 3i and spacing rings 33 interposed between the shoulder 28 of sleeve [8, and the top of sleeve 28. Any number of seating or spacing rings may be used, but in the present instance three seating rings and two spacing rings are shown held rigid on sleeve l8 between the shoulder 28 and sleeve 28, when sleeves l8 and 28 are secured together.

The bore 34 in the upper part of sleeve i8 is flared to provide a tapered socket 36 adapted to engage a frusto-conical external surface 38 formed at the lower part or" the nut 6. The nut 8 is. threadedly secured to the top of cylinder 2 and with the assembly 4 in proper position on the portion M, the surface 38 cooperates with the socket 38 to form a fluid seal joint for the valve when in seating position. The upper part of nut 6 is formed with a reduced sleeve portion 48 having outer threads 42 for engaging the lower end of the rod or insert pump 44 (Fig. 8). A

shoulder 46 formed by the reduced sleeve 48 allows for a flush engagement with the bottom of the pump. A plurality of circumferentially disposed apertures 48 are provided near the top of the inner mandrel 2 for a purpose which will be hereinafter set out.

The bottom nut 8 is provided with inner threads 58 for engaging the threads I2 of cylinder 2. An aperture 52 in the nut is reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 54, allowing for a flush engagement of nut 8 with the bottom of cylinder 2. Threads 58 are provided in the lower part of aperture 52 for receiving a gas anchor or the like, not shown.

In assembling the hold-down valve, the top nut 6 is secured to the lower end of rod pump 44, and the innermandrel 2 is threaded to the nut 6. The complete outer cylinder assembly 4, is then slid from the lower end along the cylinder 2 until the socket 38 is properly seated against the surface 38. It will be understood that although the bifurcations '26 of the lower sleeve 38 permits the sleeve 38 to slide on the large portion N3 of mandrel 2 there is considerable friction between the sleeve 38 and the portion 14, to cause the cylinder assembly 4, and the cooperating tapered surfaces to be held firmly in seating position. The bottom nut 8 is then threaded on to the cylinder 2 to complete the hold-down valve unit.

The pump 44 with the hold-down valve A se cured to the lower end is lowered into the well tubing 51 by the sucker rods 58, (Fig. 8) to a point where the seating rings 31, frictionally engage the inner periphery of a seating nipple or shoe secured tothe lower end of the tubing 51. The outside diameter of the seating rings is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the seating nipple, consequently, the frictional binding of the seating rings against the inner periphery of the seating nipple, will fimly hold the rod pump 44 in proper position in the well tubing 51. The constant flow of fluid in the tubing 5! and nipple 60 will cause sand present in the fluid, to settle around the seating rings to increase the frictional binding between the rings 3| and the seating nipple to such a degree that the hold-down Valve is practically immovable.

It will be obvious that if it is desired to remove the insert pump for repairs or the like, it is necessary to release the hold-down valve A. In the first stage of release, a straight pull on the pump and hold-down valve by the sucker rods 58 will break the fluid seal between the tapers 38 and 38 by overcoming the frictional engagement of lower sleeve 38 and the larger portion I4 causing the inner cylinder 2 to slide upward in the outer cylinder assembly 4, to a point where the decreased lower portion 18 is positioned within the outer sleeve assembly 4. In this position (Fig. 1) the tapered fluid seal between the nut 8 and sleeve [8 is completely broken, and fluid. in the tubing and nipple will flow around the taper 38, through the apertures 48 provided in cylinder 2 back to the well pool. In this stage of release it will be apparent that sand and other detrimental depositshave caused the seating rings 3! to become so engaged with the -the hold-down valve in this stage of release, the

bleeding of the fluid prevents further sand deposits around packing rings M, as well as relieving the fluid pressure in the tubing, so that this pressure does not act against the seatingrings 3! to cause any distortion or undue wear, which would necessitate their replacement. Continued vertical reciprocation of the pump and mandrel 2 by the sucker rods will cause the bottom nut 8, on the mandrel 2, to contact the lower end of skirt 38, and act as a sledge or hammer to effect a release of the seating rings 3| and the outer cylinder assembly 4, from the inner periphery of the seating nipple 80. Upon release of the outercylinder assembly 4, the sucker rods will easily pull the pump and hold-down valve to the top of the well.

It will be apparent that the hold-down valve A can be utilized by using the valve A without the-bottom nut 8. With the outer assembly 4 in frictional engagement on the upper portion I4 of the mandrel 2 due to the slots 32, the holddown valve A is lowered into the well hole with the pump 44 to a position in the seating nipple 88 to allow the packing rings 3| to frictionally engage the inner periphery of the nipple. It will be thus seen that the outer assembly 4 acts as a hold-down shoe and if it is desired to remove the pump 44 a straight pull on the sucker rods 58 will break the fluid seal and allow the inner mandrel 2 to be released from its frictional engagement with the outer assembly 4 and allowing removal of the pump. In this. adaptation the outer assembly 4 remains in the seating nipple, but a tubing job ordinarily necessary to remove seating shoes, is not necessary, since the outer assembly 4 acting as a seating shoe can be removed from the well tubing by a conventional fishing tool or the like.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a hold-down valve is provided which is simple and efiicient in operation, in that it functions to properly hold the 'rod pump in position, yet it can be easily released from the seating nipple to facilitate the removal of the rod pump, without the necessity of stripping the well.

It is believed that the construction, arrange,- ment of parts, and the operation of the valve, will be clear to those skilled in the art, and it is obvious that changes may be made in the details, disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. 7

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V

1. In an anchoring device for use in a well tubing comprising a differential tubular member, a cylinder assembly. slidable on the tubular member and provided with means for creating a frictional engagement between the cylinder assembly and the tubular member, seating rings carried by the cylinder assembly cooperating with the tubing to secure the cylinder assembly therein, a tapered nut secured totheupper end portion of the tubular member, said cylinder assembly provided with a taper cooperating with-the tapered nut to form av fluid seal, apertured means in the tubular member for bleeding fluid through the tubular member upon a release of the frictional binding between the tubular member and the cylinder assembly.

2. In an anchoring device for use in a well tubing comprising a differential tubular member, a cylinder assembly slidable on the tubular member and provided with means for creating a frictional engagement between the cylinder assembly and the tubular member, seating rings carried by the cylinder assembly cooperating with the tubing to secure the cylinder assembly therein, a tapered nut secured to the upper end portion of the tubular member, said cylinder assembly provided with a taper cooperating with the tapered nut to form a fluid seal, apertured means in the tubular member for bleeding fluid through the tubular member upon a release of the frictional binding between the tubular member and the cylinder assembly, means secured to the tubular member to disengage the seating rings from the tubing.

3. In an anchoring device for use in a well tubing, comprising a tubular member, means slidable on the tubular member and provided with means for creating a frictional engagement between the tubular member and the slidable means, seating rings on the slidable means cooperating with the tubing to secure the slidable means therein, a nut secured to one end of the tubular member, said tubular member adapted to be released from the frictional engagement with the slidable means to allow the nut to contact the slidable means to release the seating rings from the well tubing. I

4. In an anchoring device for use in a well tubing, comprising a tubular member, means slidable on the tubular member and provided with means for creating a frictional engagement between the tubular member and the slidable means, means on the slidable means cooperating with the tubing to secure the slidable means therein, a nut secured to one end of the tubular member, said tubular member adapted to be released from the frictional engagement with the slidable means to allow the nut to contact the slidable means to disengage the slidable means from the well tubing.

5. In an anchoring device for use in an oil well tubing comprising a differential tubular member, a cylinder assembly slidable on the tubular member and provided. with means for creating. a frictional binding between the assembly and the tubular member, seating rings carried by the cylinder assembly cooperating with the well tubing to secure the cylinder assembly therein, means on the tubular member for effecting a release of the seating rings from the tubing.

6. A hold-down valve for use in a well tubing, comprising a differential tubular body having a tapered nut secured at the upper end portion, a cylinder assembly slidable on the tubular body and having a tapered upper sleeve adapted to cooperate with the tapered nut, a lower sleeve secured to the upper sleeve, said lower sleeve hav- 7 ing a decreased diameter provided with means for creating a frictional engagement between the cylinder assembly and the tubular body, a plurality of seating rings carried by the cylinder assembly and cooperating with the tubing to secure the cylinder assembly. therein, means secured to the lower end portion of the tubular body for disengaging the seating rings from the tubing.

'7. A hold-down valve for use in a well tubing, comprising a difierential tubular body having a tapered nut secured at the upper end portion, a cylinder assembly slidable on.the tubular body and having a tapered upper sleeve adapted to cooperate with the tapered nut to form a fluid seal, a lower sleeve secured to the upper sleeve, said lower sleeve having a decreased diameter provided with means for creating a frictional engagement between the cylinder assembly and the tubular body, a plurality of seating rings carried by the cylinder assembly and cooperating with the tubing to secure the cylinder assembly therein, an aperture in the tubular body for bleeding fluid through the tubular body upon a release of the frictional engagement between the cylinder assembly and the tubular body, means secured to the lower end portion of the tubular body for disengaging the seating rings from the tubing.

8. A hold-down valve for anchoring a flu1d pump in a well tubing comprising a tubular member having a portion thereof of increased diameter, a nut secured at one end of the tubular member and provided with an outer taper, a cylinder assembly comprising a plurality of sleeves slidable on the tubular member and adapted to frictionally engage the increased portion thereof, a tapered portion in one of said sleeves cooperating with the tapered nut to provide a fluid seal between the tubular member and the cylinder assembly, seating rings carried by thecylinder assembly adapted to frictionally cooperate with the tubing the cylinder assembly therein.

9. In combination with a fluid pump for use in a well tubing, a hold-down valve secured to the pump and comprising a tubular member having a portion thereof of increased diameter, means slidable on the tubular member and adapted to frictionally engage the increased portion, means carried by the slidable means cooperating with a seating nipple secured to the end of the tubing for anchoring the slidable means therein, sledge means adapted to contact the slidable means for releasing the anchoring means from the seating nipple.

10. In combination with a fluid pump for usein a well tubing, a hold-down valve secured to the pump and comprising a tubular member having a portion thereof of increased diameter, a cylinder assembly slidable on the tubular member and adapted to frictionally engage the increased portion, seating rings carried by the cylinder as sembly and cooperating with a seating nipple secured to the end of the well tubing for anchoring the.cylinder assembly in the nipple, a nut engaging one end of the tubular member having an outer tapered portion, an inner tapered portion provided in the cylinder assembly and operating with the tapered portion of the nut to form a fluid seal between the tubular member and the cylinder assembly, apertures in the tubular member for bleeding fluid through the tubular member upon a disengagement of the cylinder assembly from the increased portion of the tubular member, means carried at the lower end portion of the tubular member adapted to act as a sledge against the cylinder assembly to disengage the cylinder assembly from the seating nipple.

11. In combination with a fluid pump for use in a well tubing, a hold-down valve secured to the pump and comprising a tubular member hav ing a portion thereof of increased diameter, means slidable on the tubular member and adapted to frictionally engage the increased portion, means carried by the slidable means and cooperating with means secured to the end of the "well tubing for anchoring the cylinder assembly,

a nut engaging one end of the tubular member having an outer tapered portion, an inner tapered portion provided in the slidable means and cooperating with the tapered portion of the nut to form a fluid seal between the tubular member and the slidable means, apertures in the tubular member for bleeding fluid through the tubular member upon a disengagement of the slidable means from the increased portion of the tubular member, means carried at the lower end portion of the tubular member adapted to act as a sledge against the slidable means to disengage the slidable means, whereby the pump and the valve can be removed from the tubing.

12. A hold-down valve for use in a Well tubing comprising a tubular body, a tapered nut secured to the tubular body, a cylinder assembly slidable on said body and adapted to be frictionally secured thereon, a tapered portion in the assembly adapted to cooperate with the tapered nut to form a fluid seal, means provided by the cylinder assembly for frictionally engaging the well tubing, sledge means secured to said tubular body for releasing the frictional engagement of the cylinder assembly from the well tubing.

13. A hold-down valve for anchoring a fluid pump in the tubing of a well comprising a tubular body, means slidable on said body and adapted to be frictionally secured thereon, means carried by the slidable means and cooperating With the tubing for anchoring the slidable means therein, means carried by the tubular body adapted to contact the slidable means for releasing the anchoring means from the well tubing.

SEBASTIAN L. CALVERT. 

